Vardenafil and Aspirin: Can You Take Them Together?

Vardenafil and Aspirin: Understanding the Interaction

Published: 27 October 2026

Many men wondering about vardenafil and aspirin are reassured to know that this combination is generally considered safe when prescribed appropriately. Vardenafil is a PDE5 inhibitor used to treat erectile dysfunction, while aspirin is commonly taken to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Although no major interaction between vardenafil and aspirin is commonly reported, your prescriber will still review your full medication list and medical history to ensure the combination is suitable for you.

What Is Vardenafil and How Does It Work?

Vardenafil (branded as Levitra) is a prescription medicine licensed in the UK for erectile dysfunction [5]. It belongs to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing blood vessels in the penis, allowing increased blood flow when you are sexually aroused. Vardenafil is available in 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg tablets and is typically taken about 25 to 60 minutes before sexual activity [5].

The medicine does not cause an erection on its own—sexual stimulation is still needed. Effects can last for several hours, but you should only take vardenafil once in any 24-hour period [5]. Like other PDE5 inhibitors, vardenafil can lower blood pressure slightly, which is why your prescriber checks your cardiovascular health and current medications before prescribing it.

Vardenafil is metabolised in the liver by an enzyme called CYP3A4, so medicines that affect this enzyme can alter how vardenafil works in your body [5]. Your prescriber will review any other medicines you take to ensure there are no problematic interactions.

What Is Aspirin and Why Do People Take It?

Aspirin is an antiplatelet medicine that helps prevent blood clots from forming. Many people take low-dose aspirin (typically 75 mg daily) to reduce their risk of heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular events, especially if they have a history of heart disease or certain risk factors [12]. Aspirin works by stopping platelets in the blood from sticking together, which makes the blood slightly less likely to clot.

Some people also take aspirin for pain relief or to reduce inflammation, though higher doses are used for these purposes. If you have been prescribed aspirin by your doctor for cardiovascular protection, it is important to continue taking it as directed unless your doctor advises otherwise.

Because aspirin affects blood clotting, there is sometimes concern about combining it with other medicines. However, aspirin does not significantly interact with the way vardenafil works in the body, and the two can usually be taken together safely when prescribed appropriately [12].

Vardenafil and Aspirin: Is There an Interaction?

The good news is that no major interaction between vardenafil and aspirin is commonly reported in clinical practice or prescribing guidance [5][12]. Aspirin does not interfere with the enzyme (CYP3A4) that breaks down vardenafil, and vardenafil does not affect how aspirin prevents blood clots. This means the two medicines can generally be taken together without one reducing the effectiveness of the other.

However, both medicines can have effects on the cardiovascular system. Vardenafil can cause a small drop in blood pressure, and aspirin is often taken by people who have underlying heart conditions. For this reason, your prescriber will still want to know about your aspirin use during the consultation, along with any other medicines you take and details of your cardiovascular health.

It is also worth noting that some people taking aspirin may have conditions (such as recent heart attack, unstable angina, or severe heart failure) that make PDE5 inhibitors unsuitable, not because of the aspirin itself, but because sexual activity may not be advisable [5]. Your prescriber will assess your overall health to ensure vardenafil is safe for you.

What Your Prescriber Will Check

During your online consultation at Cured Pharmacy, the prescriber will ask about your current medications, including aspirin, and any medical conditions. They will want to know why you take aspirin (for example, for cardiovascular protection), whether you have any history of heart disease, stroke, high or low blood pressure, and whether you take any other medicines that might interact with vardenafil [5].

The prescriber will also check that you are not taking any medicines that are contraindicated with vardenafil, such as nitrates (GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate or dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs known as 'poppers' [5]. These combinations can cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure and must be avoided. If you are on any of these, do not take vardenafil.

If you are taking other blood-pressure medicines or alpha-blockers (such as doxazosin or tamsulosin), the prescriber will ensure you start on the lowest suitable dose of vardenafil and that you are stable on your other treatment [5]. This careful review helps ensure the combination is safe and effective for you.

Practical Advice for Taking Vardenafil with Aspirin

If you have been prescribed vardenafil and you take aspirin, continue taking your aspirin exactly as your doctor has advised. Do not stop or change your aspirin dose without speaking to your GP, as this could increase your risk of cardiovascular events. Take vardenafil as directed by your prescriber, usually about 25 to 60 minutes before you plan to have sex, and no more than once in 24 hours [5].

Swallow the vardenafil tablet whole with water. You can take it with or without food, though a very heavy or high-fat meal might delay how quickly it works [5]. Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol, as this can make erectile dysfunction worse and add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of vardenafil, increasing the risk of dizziness or fainting.

If you experience any unusual symptoms after taking vardenafil—such as severe dizziness, chest pain during sex, or an erection lasting more than four hours—seek medical help immediately. These are rare but serious side effects that need urgent attention. Always keep your prescriber and GP informed of all the medicines you take, including over-the-counter products and supplements.

Other Medicines and Vardenafil: What Else to Watch For

While vardenafil and aspirin can usually be taken together, there are other medicines that do interact significantly with vardenafil. Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors—such as ritonavir, cobicistat (found in some HIV medicines), ketoconazole, itraconazole, and clarithromycin—can raise vardenafil levels in the blood, increasing the risk of side effects [5]. Vardenafil is often contraindicated or requires dose adjustment if you take these medicines, so your prescriber will check carefully.

CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St John's wort, can reduce vardenafil levels and make it less effective [5]. If you take any of these, your prescriber may recommend an alternative ED treatment. Grapefruit juice can also raise vardenafil levels and should be avoided [5].

Alpha-blockers used for prostate symptoms or high blood pressure (such as doxazosin, tamsulosin, or alfuzosin) can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of vardenafil, leading to dizziness or fainting [5]. If you take an alpha-blocker, you should be stable on it before starting vardenafil, and your prescriber will usually start you on the lowest dose. Other blood-pressure medicines can also add to this effect, so always declare them during your consultation.

Medicines You Must Never Take with Vardenafil

Do not take vardenafil if you are using nitrates (such as GTN spray, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nicorandil, riociguat, or recreational drugs called 'poppers' (amyl or alkyl nitrites) [5]. Combining vardenafil with any of these can cause a severe and potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.

You should also never take vardenafil alongside another PDE5 inhibitor (such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or avanafil) [5]. Using two PDE5 inhibitors together does not improve effectiveness and significantly increases the risk of side effects. If you are unsure whether any of your medicines fall into these categories, ask your prescriber or pharmacist before taking vardenafil.

When to Seek Medical Advice About Vardenafil and Aspirin

If you develop new symptoms or side effects after starting vardenafil, contact your prescriber or GP for advice. Common side effects of vardenafil include headache, flushing, nasal congestion, and indigestion, which are usually mild and temporary [5]. However, if you experience chest pain during or after sex, stop sexual activity and seek urgent medical help, as this could indicate a heart problem.

An erection lasting more than four hours (priapism) is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage [5]. Sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes, or sudden decrease or loss of hearing (sometimes with ringing in the ears or dizziness), are also rare but serious side effects that need urgent medical attention [5].

If you are considering starting vardenafil and you have not seen a doctor about your erectile dysfunction before, it is a good idea to book a GP appointment. ED can be an early warning sign of underlying health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure [1][2]. Your GP can arrange tests and help address any contributing factors, and you can then use an online service like Cured Pharmacy for convenient, discreet access to treatment once your health has been assessed.

How Cured Pharmacy Can Help

Cured Pharmacy is a GPhC-registered online pharmacy (GPhC 9012511) offering a confidential, UK-prescriber-led consultation for erectile dysfunction treatments. After you complete a short online questionnaire, a UK-registered prescriber will review your answers, including your current medications such as aspirin, and your medical history. If vardenafil is suitable and safe for you, your prescription will be dispensed and delivered discreetly to your door.

We stock a range of ED treatments, including vardenafil (generic Levitra) at £16.95 (first order with code Ednew: £13.56), as well as sildenafil, tadalafil, and avanafil. All prescription medicines are only supplied after a clinical assessment to ensure they are appropriate for you. If you have any questions about vardenafil and aspirin or any other aspect of your treatment, our pharmacist-led team is here to help.

Scientific References

1. NHS. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction (impotence). NHS website. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/erection-problems-erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 27 October 2026]
2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (n.d.). Erectile dysfunction. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/erectile-dysfunction/ [accessed 27 October 2026]
3. Joint Formulary Committee. (n.d.). Vardenafil. British National Formulary. NICE. https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/vardenafil/ [accessed 27 October 2026]
4. Electronic Medicines Compendium. (n.d.). Summaries of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflets. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/ [accessed 27 October 2026]

Information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Prescription treatments require clinical assessment by a UK-registered prescriber. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication.

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